Explore Bolton, CT

Bolton at a Glance

Part of Tolland County

If you’re looking for the best hiking trails in Bolton this is the complete guide to all the long trails, caves, and history it has to offer.

Bolton preserves at least 776 acres of its 9,408 total acres. They host:

    • 10 hiking areas for 16.2 miles of trails
    • 3 boating/fishing areas. 

Trails range from a wide and flat stretch of the Hop River Trail to the rugged and rolling terrain of the Edith Clark Property.

Hiking

Town Parks

    • Freja Park –★★– 0.88 miles – A gateway park offering access to the Shenipsit, Charter Oak Greenway, Hop River Trail, Bolton Notch and Risley Park
    • Herrick Park –★★– 1 mile – Most people come for the sports fields, but there is a somewhat disused hiking loop
    • Heritage Farm –★★– 2 miles – The site of a Rochambeau revolutionary war encampment, the grounds are pretty fun to explore
    • Indian Notch Park – Seasonal town park with a beach, fields, and pavilion. Daily fee for access:
      • Residents: $5 Weekday, $7 Weekend/Holiday
      • Non-Residents: $7 Weekday, $20 Weekend/Holiday

Land Trust

State Parks / Forest

Blue Blaze

    • Shenipsit Trail
      • East Coast Greenway –★★– 0.9 miles – Nice new paved section along I-384, nice for cyclists, not as great for hikers
      • Freja Park –★★– 0.54 miles – The Shenipsit passes an old drive-in before skirting the edge of Notch Pond
      • Hop River Trail –★★– 0.54 miles – These two trails overlap on this stone dust old rail bed
    • Risley Park –★★★– 3 miles – Maintained by CFPA, this has a short loop around the pond or a long loop near Box Mountain

The Rest

Boating/Fishing

  • Lower Bolton Lake –★★– The largest and busiest of the three lakes, with plenty of room to explore, but not much for standout sites

Bolton, settled 1716; named and incorporated Oct., 1720; named from Bolton in Lancashire, or the Duke of Bolton. The 53rd oldest town in Connecticut.

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